By Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Lokoja
UNICEF’s youth platform has joins the Government and people of Nigeria in marking to fashioned out man power development program that connect millions of young people to learning, skills, and economic opportunities.
A platform to kick start the program, the Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) National Secretariat was formally launched and anchored within the Office of the Vice President on the 32st of March 2026.
In a statement by Wafaa Saeed – UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative noted that the initiative is a milestone UNICEF is proud to share as a committed partner in what is becoming one of the most ambitious efforts to connect millions of young people to learning, skills, and economic opportunities.
The statement noted, “Since its launch in 2021, Generation Unlimited Nigeria has impacted over 11 million young Nigerians across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, providing access to digital skills, employment pathways, and civic engagement opportunities with particular emphasis on young women and youth from marginalized communities.
“With a target of reaching 20 million young people by 2030, the establishment of the National Secretariat marks the next chapter in this journey”
Co-led by the Office of the Vice President and UNICEF under the Generation Unlimited Nigeria Public-Private-Youth Partnership (PPYP), the Secretariat will serve as a high-level coordination and systems-integration hub. It will bring together key line ministries, the private sector, development partners, and young people to strengthen policies, programmes, and investments in support of youth skilling, employment, entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion -delivered at scale and with urgency.
As co-lead of the Secretariat, UNICEF Nigeria reaffirms its full commitment to this partnership. UNICEF will continue to provide technical and systems expertise in designing and scaling learning-to-earning pathways – spanning digital skills, education, employability, and entrepreneurship, with a strong focus on evidence, data, and results.
“We look forward to working closely with the Office of the Vice President, line ministries, the private sector, and young Nigerians themselves to ensure the Secretariat delivers the change that Nigeria’s youth deserve”
GenU 9JA Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) is UNICEF’s youth platform launched in 2021 to support Nigerians aged 10–24 in transitioning from learning to earning. By 2030, it aims to reach 20 million youth with digital education, skills, and civic opportunities. Co-led by the Vice President and UNICEF, GenU 9JA has empowered over 11 million youth through partnerships with 40+ organizations nationwide.
